JERUSALEM
– Iran fears Western or Israeli sabotage operations against its nuclear
facilities and is currently working to strengthen the protective
measures around its nuclear sites, according to Egyptian security
officials.

The Egyptian security officials said they did not have any
confirmation that Iran’s nuclear facility at Fordow suffered an
explosion, but they were continuing to look into the reports, which originated with a WND article.

Jordanian security officials also contacted by WND said they had no information about an explosion at Fordow.

The Egyptian and Jordanian officials, meanwhile, said Iran has also
stepped up its on-the-ground support for the embattled regime of Syrian
President Bashar al-Assad.

“Soldiers of the Revolutionary Guards are on ground almost
publically,” said one Egyptian security official. “They are not hiding
their involvement in Syria.”

Regarding Iran’s fear of a Western or Israeli operation, the Egyptian
officials said Tehran believes its nuclear sites may be targeted before
the next round of nuclear negotiations with the West.

World powers have asked Iran to hold renewed talks about its nuclear
work in February, but Tehran has yet to schedule any negotiations.

A spokesman for the EU’s foreign policy chief, Catherine Ashton, said
Monday Iran had not agreed to her proposal to meet at the end for
talks, issued on behalf of the United States, Russia, China, France,
Britain and Germany.